By David Halsall
Bachmann Branch-Line 32-250 ‘OO’ WD Austerity (NS Class 4300 ‘Jeep’)
2-8-0 4310. Approximate price £100.
Members may be surprised to find a review of an ’OO’ scale locomotive
in Nieuwsbrief. Bachmann’s excellent model of the WD 2-8-0 is indeed
produced in mainly British guises: BR black with the choices between two crests
and several numerical identities as well as BR (Western Region) and LNER versions,
weathered and un-weathered, and Longmoor Military Railway blue and red. The
welter of WD variants also includes further locomotives for overseas service
with the 21st Army Transport Corps, the Kowloon and Canton Railway (Hong Kong),
and of greatest interest here, one of the substantial fleet of ‘Jeeps’ which
served Dutch railways from c.1944 until their final replacement in 1958. These
were allocated to the number series 4301-5307, and joined other imported British-built
locomotives such as the WD 2-10-0s and the J94 Saddle Tanks in war service.

The model is constructed
of a mix of metal and plastic parts and is noticeably heavy, giving good
adhesion. This, and the well-balanced chassis and motor provide a flexibility
and smoothness in use - the loco is capable of slow shunting speeds as
well as of maintaining good consistency on longer runs. Thus it is well
suited to its prototype’s role in moving heavy freight. The appearance
and detailing of the model is excellent. The impression of size is well
captured and the wealth of detail and its accuracy is impressive. I have
seen nothing but praise for the models in the regular magazines. The WD
2-8-0 sets a very high standard for future models to follow.

Number 4310 further shows
the same quality in containing a sachet of additional parts, in addition
to vacuum pipes, front steps, cylinder drain cocks, etc, to enhance its
own distinctive features. The chimney extension, head and taillights, and
ladder to the left side of the boiler, together with brake cylinders on
the right of the smokebox most distinguish the engine’s appearance
compared with the British versions. Like the UK locomotives, the motion
and wheel trims are effectively blackened and a simple draw bar allows
the choice of two positions for the tender coupling. Paintwork is very
well finished, with clear lining and legible printing. The realistic looking
diamond-shaped builder’s plate is just identifiable through a strong
lens (x10) as one of the North British Locomotive products.

The locomotive is fitted,
appropriately, with standard continental couplings. If it is intended to
store the model in the box, note that the polystyrene ‘cradles’ supplied
need some trimming to fit the extended chimney.

Two controversial aspects
remain for discussion. The price of c£100 may seem high compared
with c£75, for which the British versions can be bought in the UK.
It might be argued that this is a high price differential to pay for a
few extra parts. However, compared with the retail price of European steam
locomotives manufactured and sold by other European firms, the NS 4300
2-8-0 appears good value. Hence, a group of Dutch modellers view the model
thus: ‘yes, we know that they are 4 mm scale rather than 3.5 mm,
but they are nice models, and very reasonably priced!’ (Hans Louvet,
2000, p.423) The second element for query is that of scale - if only they
were built to HO! It is a pity they are not, but as a big engine the difference
seems to show less with HO stock than I expected and I therefore agree
with Hans Louvet. All we need now is a Belgian version with its number
in serif on the smokebox!
References, ‘Jeep’ 2-8-0s:
Van Wijck Jurriaanse, N.J., 1972, Stoomlocomotieven van de Nederlandse Spoorwegen,
Rotterdam: Uitgevers Wyk, pp. 71-74.
Louvet, H., 2000, Railway of the month. Vinkeveen, A small Dutch country station
modelled in HO scale, Continental Modeller 22/10, pp.418-423.